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Biden condemns Russia's Christmas attack on Ukraine and pledges continued military support

26.12.2024 16:16
U.S. President Joe Biden announced the continuation of arms supplies to Ukraine following an attack on its energy infrastructure. Biden condemned the Russian attack on Ukraine, which took place on Christmas Day. 
On December 25, 2024, Ukrainians sang carols in Kyiv at a parade attended by families, folk groups, artists, veterans, and military personnel, the capital, while in Kharkiv, in eastern Ukraine, firefighters responded to a Russian missile attack that damaged residential buildings and injured six people.
On December 25, 2024, Ukrainians sang carols in Kyiv at a parade attended by families, folk groups, artists, veterans, and military personnel, the capital, while in Kharkiv, in eastern Ukraine, firefighters responded to a Russian missile attack that damaged residential buildings and injured six people.PAP/Vladyslav Musiienko

"The purpose of this outrageous attack was to cut off the Ukrainian people’s access to heat and electricity during winter and to jeopardize the safety of its grid," Biden said in a statement.

"Let me be clear: the Ukrainian people deserve to live in peace and safety, and the United States and the international community must continue to stand with Ukraine until it triumphs over Russia’s aggression," he added.

The attack, carried out with 184 missiles and drones, aimed to destroy Ukraine's energy infrastructure, putting the country at risk during the winter.

On December 25, 2024, in Kharkiv, Ukraine, firefighters work to mitigate the damage caused by a Russian missile strike on a residential building. The attack resulted in at least ten hits across the city, damaging residential buildings, civil infrastructure, and critical facilities. Six local residents were injured in the assault. Photo: PAP/Mykola On December 25, 2024, in Kharkiv, Ukraine, firefighters work to mitigate the damage caused by a Russian missile strike on a residential building. The attack resulted in at least ten hits across the city, damaging residential buildings, civil infrastructure, and critical facilities. Six local residents were injured in the assault. Photo: PAP/Mykola

Biden emphasized that Russia's goal was to deprive Ukraine of heat and electricity. He also announced continued and increased arms supplies to Ukraine, directing the Pentagon to proceed with this support.

On Christmas Day, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced that the first tranche of a $1 billion loan from frozen Russian assets had been sent to Ukraine, with the total value of secured assets reaching $20 billion.

Source: IAR/PAP/X/@POTUS/@KyivPost

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